JLL tapped to lease GTIS Partners’ new Class A industrial development in East Tampa

JLL announced today that it has been selected by GTIS Partners to lead leasing efforts for 4Ward Logistics Center, a new Class A industrial development currently under construction in East Tampa. The project will feature two rear-load distribution buildings totaling 382,500 square feet with expansive floor plans that can fit a variety of business requirements.

JLL Executive Managing Directors Peter Cecora and John Dunphy, along with Vice President Olivia Brock, will oversee leasing for the development on behalf of ownership. Founded in 2005, GTIS Partners is a global real estate investment firm in the Americas that manages $5 billion in gross assets and is active across a wide range of real estate sectors, including single family and multifamily housing, office, industrial/logistics and hospitality as well as opportunity zone investments.

Located near the intersection of Interstate 4 and Interstate 75, 4Ward Logistics Center is strategically positioned to serve regional, statewide, and national distribution needs. The development will offer modern industrial space designed to accommodate a range of logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing, and distribution users seeking access to one of Florida’s fastest-growing markets.

“4Ward Logistics Center represents the type of institutional-quality industrial product that continues to attract strong interest throughout the Tampa Bay region,” said Peter Cecora, Executive Managing Director at JLL. “Occupiers today are prioritizing facilities with modern specifications, efficient loading capabilities, and immediate access to major transportation corridors. Combined with Tampa Bay’s continued population growth and expanding logistics infrastructure, 4Ward is exceptionally well-positioned to meet that demand.”

Designed to meet the needs of modern logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing, and distribution users, the development will offer best-in-class specifications, including 36-foot clear heights, ample trailer and auto parking, ESFR sprinkler systems, expansive truck courts, and multiple points of ingress and egress. The project's strategic location provides direct access to Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and South Florida, positioning tenants to efficiently serve both regional and statewide distribution networks.

The development also marks GTIS Partners’ continued investment in high-growth Sun Belt markets and further expands the firm's industrial portfolio throughout the Southeast. 4Ward Logistics Center is located within a designated Qualified Opportunity Zone and is capitalized by the GTIS Opportunity Zone Fund II, an investment fund raised by GTIS to develop high-quality assets in undercapitalized areas across the United States.

“Florida continues to be one of the most compelling industrial markets in the country, driven by sustained population growth, strong business migration trends, and increasing demand for modern logistics infrastructure,” said Lee Lineberger, Vice President at GTIS Partners. “4Ward Logistics Center reflects our conviction on the Tampa Bay market and our commitment to delivering high-quality industrial facilities that meet the needs of today's tenants. We are excited to partner with JLL as we bring this project to market.”

According to JLL’s latest Tampa Bay Industrial Insight report, the market continued to strengthen in the first quarter of 2026, recording 191,200 square feet of net absorption and marking its fourth consecutive quarter with more than 150,000 square feet absorbed as demand remained robust among logistics, construction, and food and beverage users. Vacancy declined year-over-year to 6.6%, reflecting tightening availability across the region, while average asking rents climbed 8.6% to $7.93 per square foot. Meanwhile, approximately 1.7 million square feet of industrial space remains under construction throughout Tampa Bay, much of it already preleased, underscoring continued confidence in the region’s long-term growth prospects.